It was no babbling confusion but a multilingual celebration of the North-West University’s (NWU’s) rich linguistic diversity as the School of Languages celebrated the crucial role of mother languages in the lives of students and staff on 21 February.
The celebrations were part of the annual International Mother Language Day that aims to promote language awareness and cultural diversity across the world.
Students and staff from all three the NWU’s campuses could partake in various activities that ranged from selfie competitions and writing down of favourite words and phrases in their own language to learning a new language in the “60 Seconds Language Course”.
The activities, which showcased different aspects of linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism, were coordinated by the School of Languages in collaboration with the South African Centre for Digital Language Resources (SADiLAR) and the Centre for Text Technology (CText®).
The day followed the successful Language Awareness programme that has already been rolled out at the NWU’s campuses in Potchefstroom and Vanderbijlpark. The next phase of the Language Awareness programme is scheduled to take place at the NWU’s campus in Mahikeng in March. The programme encourages first-year students to be knowledgeable about and to show appreciation for the different roles that their own and other languages play in the process of learning.
Prof Robert Balfour, deputy vice-chancellor for teaching and learning, says the day was particularly significant for the NWU with its multilingual language policy.
“The celebrations highlighted the connection between the NWU’s multilingual language policy and the linguistic, cultural and spiritual diversity characteristics of students and staff at the NWU. Essentially it showed why living and promoting multilingualism are important for social cohesion and inclusion.”
During the Registration and Orientation programme, first-year students of the NWU’s campus in Potchefstroom were asked to write a short piece describing the language that is closest to their hearts.
The best essay for each language will be showcased on the School of Languages’ home page. The winners are, from third from the left, Ofentse Kekana (Sepedi), Erin Eadi (South African Sign Language), Resegofetse Monaisa (Setswana), Andiswa Tsonga (isiXhosa), Nikkita Tonga (Xitsonga), Juniata Rupan (English), Khaliphile Sithole (isiZulu), Mpendulo Mbuyane (Siswati) and Felicity Selahle (Afrikaans). With them is Dr Janien Linde, lecturer of Afrikaans and Dutch literature, Gerda Wittmann, subject chairperson for German, Dr Lande Botha of English linguistics, and Prof Tobie van Dyk, director of the School of Languages.
Students learning from each other. Naledi Nkatlo, Mathapelo Khantsi, Zandile Dlamnini, Deané Deyzel, Thanie Robbertse and Wilanie Botha share their love for language.
Sunny Gent and Khumo Tshenkeng of CText® with Oliver Becker-Stauder, a second-year student from Namibia. Oliver says he is a language enthusiast who wants to learn more languages.
-Staff from the NWU’s campus in Mahikeng celebrated their mother languages during International Mother Language Day.
Kamogelo Tlelane, Student Council member for Arts and Culture of the Student Campus Council on the NWU’s campus in Mahikeng, enjoyed International Mother Language Day.
Moeketsi Mokoena, Thato Thulo and Bafedile Lempe of the NWU’s campus in Vanderbijlpark completed the 60-second course in German and are proudly showing off their certificates.
Moeketsi Mokoena, Thato Thulo and Bafedile Lempe of the NWU’s campus in Vanderbijlpark completed the 60-second course in German and are proudly showing off their certificates.
The activities, which showcased different aspects of linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism, were coordinated by the School of Languages in collaboration with the South African Centre for Digital Language Resources (SADiLAR) and the Centre for Text Technology (CText®).
